"Rohit Sharma Not All-time Great To...": Sanjay Manjrekar On 'Mystery' Around Star's Absence, Questions Ravi Shastri

Rohit Sharma's absence from India's XI against Australia for the fifth Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy probably started a new chapter in Indian cricket. After suffering from a poor run of form, Sharma decided to opt out of the Sydney Test. This is probably the first instance of an Indian captain dropping himself from the playing XI owing to poor form, according to Sunil Gavaskar. However, former India star Sanjay Manjrekar, part of the commentary panel for the official broadcasters, was intrigued that there was so little spoken about Rohit's absence at the toss. 

Former India coach Ravi Shastri was commentating at the toss and he did not ask in details about Rohit Sharma's absence. Stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah mentioned: "Our captain has shown leadership by opting to rest in this game. That shows there's a lot of unity in this team. There's no selfishness. Whatever is in the teams best interest we are looking to do that."

Manjrekar, after the toss, however was intrigued that there was so little being spoken about the issue, which is one of the biggest incidents in Indian cricket this year,  

"Very mysterious From Ravi (Shastri). I was amazed. I don't understand this cloak and dagger thing in Indian cricket. This is the issue with Indian cricket culture. We are just secretive in our operation. Rohit Sharma is someone who has played 62 Test matches," Manjrekar said on Star Sports. 

"We have to share with the fans who have made cricket the great game that is India. When they see Bumrah walking out, the first thought in their minds is what happened to Rohit Sharma? Has he opted out? Has he been dropped? I was amazed that at the toss he wasn't asked. I have done the toss a few times. That would have been the first